Anthrax recently announced new singer, Dan Nelson. Nelson is a virtual unknown, having fronted several local bands in the Long Island/ New York area in the past. Says drummer Charlie Benante, “Rob [Caggiano] called me and said, ‘I have a singer, you should check him out.’ We gave him a shot, and he floored us.”

After a successful reunion tour with former singer Joey Belladonna in 2006, there were rumors of recording a new album with that lineup. However, talks fell through and the band was left, once again, without a singer. Enter Dan Nelson.

“I was actually looking for a band,” commented Nelson. “ Long Island , NY is a pretty dead scene. I was in Unbroken, and through that I met Rob a couple years ago. I had gone through some stuff on a personal side where I took time off from the music. When I got back to the scene, I couldn’t find a band, so I contacted Rob through MySpace and offered my services. We sent music back and forth, got together, and jammed for 10 hours straight. After 10 hours, he said, ‘I think you’d be right for Anthrax.”

“There’s no place else I’d rather be right now,” Nelson said. “It’s a great vibe. I feel great, and I’m ready to go. It’s lit that much more of a fire under me. I’m getting to live the dream, and it feels amazing. I can’t wait for all these people who think Anthrax is done to be proven wrong. The naysayers are gonna be shut down, and the true blue fans are gonna be pleased.”

Guitarist Scott Ian commented on the new singer saying, “It feels great working with Dan. The first time we jammed, we ran through a bunch of old songs, songs from the John Bush/ Joey Belladonna eras. Right from the first second Dan started “Room For One More” we knew. We said, ‘Now that we’ve got that, let’s work his ass off.”

Anthrax, featuring Nelson on vocals, guitarists Ian and Rob Caggiano, bassist Frankie Bello, and drummer Benante, is currently working on all-new material. “We wrote these songs and they fucking kicked ass,” says Benante. “It was cathartic. We also want to take our time. This record will be under the microscope, more so than the others. We want to make sure it’s 100% perfect.”

In related news, two classic Anthrax records - “Sound of White Noise” and “Stomp 442” - are going to be available on iTunes on December 18. They will be expanded editions with bonus tracks, and it’s the first time the records will be released digitally. The online versions of the albums will also include commentary tracks from the band members themselves.

Anthrax has not yet announced a release date for an upcoming album, but the band is in the middle of the writing process, so stay tuned for more updates.

ANTHRAX have announced that they have recruited former DEVILSIZE and ME, MY ENEMY vocalist Dan Nelson as the replacement for Joey Belladonna as the band’s new singer.

Band members Scott Ian and Charlie Benante have revealed in a recent online chat that there are no hard feelings between themselves and former band members. They also stated that John Bush has claimed that he wants nothing more to do with music, not just Anthrax.

ANTHRAX will release "Sound Of White Noise (Expanded Edition)" and "Stomp 442 (Expanded Edition)" as digital releases for the first time via Anthrax Ltd./ Megaforce Records on December 18, 2007. In addition to being available at digital outlets such as iTunes, Rhapsody, etc., ringtones will also be available via all major cell phone providers.

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian recently told MTV.com that he, drummer Charlie Benante and bassist Frank Bello have spent most of 2007 writing and fine-tuning a batch of new songs, which Ian said are along the lines of the band's 2003 album, "We've Come for You All".

At this point, ANTHRAX have a pile of songs, and they're just waiting for the right guy to fill the frontman position so they can proceed. While they've got a short list of singers with whom they're in discussions, there's no word regarding who will fill John Bush and Joey Belladonna shoes.

"It's getting to be a little bit of a problem with the material we're writing," Ian admitted. "Because the singer we use will obviously have some bearing on what kind of songs we write. But we know that we want to make a proper follow-up to 'We've Come for You All', which we all loved. But we want it to be even better: heavier, faster, hookier. As songwriters, you try to improve on your craft. And fortunately, we've got the time to make that happen. We have no deadline at all because we've got no label deal, so my attitude is, 'Let's make the most metal record we've ever made in our lives,' and I would have to say that's coming to fruition."

"Played poker for 16 hours [in Las Vegas] yesterday. Online and live tourney and then the Poker Room at the Palms. You can say I'm hooked. Finished sixth in the 'Beauty And The Bet' tourney. Phil Hellmuth was very proud of his pupil.

"Filming the 'Best Damn Poker Tournament Ever' this week for Fox.

"Gearheads, check this out. The H4 is sick. It's a studio in your hand (and it looks like a Taser!!!).

"New ANTHRAX is killing."

Scott Ian recently told MTV.com that he, drummer Charlie Benante and bassist Frank Bello have spent most of 2007 writing and fine-tuning a batch of new songs, which Ian said are along the lines of the band's 2003 album, "We've Come for You All".

At this point, ANTHRAX have a pile of songs, and they're just waiting for the right guy to fill the frontman position so they can proceed. While they've got a short list of singers with whom they're in discussions, there's no word regarding who will fill John Bush and Joey Belladonna shoes.

"It's getting to be a little bit of a problem with the material we're writing," Ian admitted. "Because the singer we use will obviously have some bearing on what kind of songs we write. But we know that we want to make a proper follow-up to 'We've Come for You All', which we all loved. But we want it to be even better: heavier, faster, hookier. As songwriters, you try to improve on your craft. And fortunately, we've got the time to make that happen. We have no deadline at all because we've got no label deal, so my attitude is, 'Let's make the most metal record we've ever made in our lives,' and I would have to say that's coming to fruition."

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian recently answered 20 questions about music, movies, comics and life for the Our World's At War web site. A couple of excerpts follow:

Our World's At War: Being a New York guy, what's it like living in LA?

Scott Ian: The NY I grew up in and lived in until 1989 is long gone. I'm back there at least once a month to see friends/biz etc and it's great for 3-4 days but that's it. Manhattan is a different place that I don't identify with. LA is a much easier place to live in every way (unless you live in Malibu and your house burned down) especially coming from the NY I come from. LA has everything NYC has without the chaos and you don't have to be rich to live here. And, I have winter on my terms. I can go snowboard and then be back in 70 degrees and sun.

Our World's At War: Do you think the Internet is a good thing or the devil?

Scott Ian: Like all good things, moderation is the key. I think it's easy to fall into the trap of your whole life existing on the internet and never leaving your house. The internet is a tool for me and nothing more. I'd rather interact with other humans (as horrible as that can be) than live behind a firewall.

Our World's At War: Which is better, ninjas or samurai? Why?

Scott Ian: Better? I don't know. If Ninja's have supernatural powers than they would be better. If it's just man vs. man, I'll go with Samurai, the Bushido code an d all that.

Our World's At War: Top five favorite and least favorite movies?

Scott Ian: Off the top of my head, "Godfather 1" & "2", "Raging Bull", "Goodfellas", "Blue Velvet", "Casablanca". Least? "Godfather 3". "Spider-Man 3". "Lost Highway". All disappointing. I can't think of any more right now. My movie-filter is very strict and I usually don't see crap. I'm sure there's more but I've blocked them.

Frontiers Records will release the debut album from Markus Grosskopf's (HELLOWEEN) BASSINVADERS, entitled "Hellbassbeaters", on January 25, 2008.

BASSINVADERS was a creation of Markus' while sitting in a bar and enjoying a few drinks. It was there that he got inspired to produce a heavy rock record without any guitars at all. He presented this concept in early 2007 to Frontiers Records, which was intrigued by the idea and gave it a go.

According to a press release, "Hellbassbeaters" contains all the basic elements of a heavy rock record "and so much more. You got the strong vocals, rhythmic bass, intoxicating drums and even bass and twin bass solo parts. What you hear is what you get: 100% genuine heavy rock record with absolutely no discordant guitar note on it at all." To guarantee a great variety of different influences, Markus invited some well-known singing bass players from the German metal scene to join the band, including DESTRUCTION's Schmier, SODOM's frontman Tom Angelripper and RAGE's Peavy. He also managed to get a few of his bass heroes to lay down solos on some of the tracks, including Billy Sheehan, Rudy Sarzo and DD Verni.

The Shockwaves/HardRadio podcast #23 is now available. According to a show update, "this episode features a classic metal discussion between podcast host Bob Nalbandian and vocalist John Bush (ARMORED SAINT, ex-ANTHRAX). Rather than the standard interview Nalbandian and Bush each give their insight on some of the much publicized recent classic rock/metal reunions including VAN HALEN, HEAVEN AND HELL, LED ZEPPELIN, QUEEN, ALICE IN CHAINS, THE DOORS and many others. Also on this episode Nalbandian interviews William Irwin, the author/editor of METALLICA And Philosophy: A Crash Course In Brain Surgery. Topics include the philosophical aspects of James Hetfield's lyrics, Napster, the band's forthcoming release and the ongoing debate of Metallica 'selling-out.'"

As previously reported, TWISTED SISTER recently announced a second show for New York City "due to overwhelming demand," set for December 20th. Former ANTHRAX frontman Joey Belladonna, who was originally confirmed for the scheduled December 21st show, will be on the bill as support. Ex-GRIM REAPER guitarist Nick Bowcott will once again join Belladonna on stage for the December 21st show, as he did at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale, New York on October 30th.

A three-minute trailer for the forthcoming "20 Years of Nuclear Blast" two-DVD set can be viewed below. Due on November 30 via Nuclear Blast, the collection — as the title implies — celebrates the 20th anniversary of the German metal label, featuring two DVDs with almost six hours' worth of footage, including 70 promotional clips and a four-part history of the label hosted by DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer.

The following clips can be found on the "20 Years of Nuclear Blast" two-DVD set:

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has launched a regular column on SuicideGirls.com. The column is called "Scott Ian's Food Coma" where he writes about his food and travel experiences. An excerpt from the first installment follows:

"I've been in Los Angeles for 18 years now and I know I've developed a disaster callous because driving on a freeway next to a hillside in flames is just interesting enough to get me to stop typing on my iPhone (yes, I am THAT GUY or that gay. Either one works.)

"I do love this city and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I'm a New Yorker that would rather live in La La Land than back in the 'old neighborhood.' Fuck the old neighborhood. Small-minded bitter assholes hanging out in dank, old-man bars, drinking from their mugs of sadness and failure as life passes them by. I'm not judging, maybe I'm stereotyping a bit, but I've been there. It smells bad.

"I come from a New York that doesn't exist any more so there's not much for me to miss. I used to miss the restaurants…"

Hall of Fame drummer Marky Ramone (RAMONES) and paid a recent visit to the set of "The Most Ferocious Drummers Ever" — a featured television special currently in production which chronicles the lives and careers of over 50 legendary drummers in jazz, funk, rock, metal, and alternative music. Other drummers that appear in the special include Tommy Lee (MÖTLEY CRÜE), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) and Steven Adler (GUNS N' ROSES)

The TV special is hosted and produced by former Atlantic Records rock drummer Billy McCarthy (a.k.a. ex-D'MOLLS member Billy Dior) and feature film producer Braxton Pope of Ithaka Entertainment and features a kinetic mix of personal interviews, commentary, and performance clips entirely shot in high-definition. The special is projected for a 2008 release.

"I'd say it's about time a program came along and paid due respect to the drummer — after all, without a great drummer, something terrible happens to a band. Nothing," said McCarthy.

Notes Pope, "Every drummer featured is featured for one reason and one reason only — they are the foundation to the heaviest bands, the hit songs, and even the hit solo artists they helped define."

"The Most Ferocious Drummers Ever" delves into the drummer's childhood, the first arrival in the audition room with their chart-busting band mates, the sewing of that first hit song — their high (and lows) with those band-mates and then there's "every drummers hero," according to McCarthy, "agreed upon from Max Weinberg to Chad Smith of the CHILI PEPPERS to Charlie Benante of ANTHRAX. The king of the back-beat is Ringo Starr."

Billy McCarthy is a former Atlantic Records recording artist and Los Angeles radio talk show host. He is the author of the debut novel "The Devil of Shakespeare", the first novel ever to include a title song to a novel written by the author. Aside from producing film and music, Billy continues to write. His next book is "Beat Me Til' I'm Famous". Billy McCarthy currently resides in Chicago and is a member of the Society of Midland Authors.

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante will make a special guest appearance at Illinois-based modern rock/alternative band HEAVY THE FALL's November 2 concert at Martyrs' in Chicago.

Three songs from HEAVY THE FALL's debut EP, featuring Charlie Benante, have been posted on the band's MySpace page. Charlie also produced the CD, which was engineered and mixed by Asim Ali (MUDVAYNE, LEFTSETTER).

HEAVY THE FALL features in its ranks former AVERNUS guitarist Erik Kikke. The group's current linup is rounded out by vocalist Daniel Graunke and bassist Michael V.

The makers of Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal have issued the following brief message:

"For all those who have been asking - Get Thrashed: The Story Of Thrash Metal should be out on DVD April, 2008. More details coming soon!!!"

Get Thrashed documents the history of thrash metal by dissecting the genre from its head banging beginnings to the present day resurgence. The film features some incredible vintage live footage as well as interviews from legendary acts such as EXODUS, SODOM, ANTHRAX, METALLICA and more!

"The Classic Metal Show" recently conducted an interview with ex-ANTHRAX vocalist Joey Belladonna. When asked about the persistent rumor that he is once again working with ANTHRAX as they move forward on their new album, Joey said, "I don't know much about that kind of stuff. I don't know where that comes from, to be honest with you. There is a rumor going around. I see that. It's interesting when that stuff pops up." In response to the suggestion that ANTHRAX may "wise up" and bring him back, Belladonna said, "Well, my answer to that is we never really had to go through this phase. They could have just left it alone. Granted, they had fun doing whatever they did for the five records without me, but they could have just eliminated all of this malarkey if they wanted to."

Joey has lined up several solo dates during the coming weeks, including a few shows in the UK in December and an appearance with TWISTED SISTER at The Filmore at Irving Plaza in New York City on December 21.

Belladonna last year made three full albums' worth of solo material available for paid download via his official web site.

Commented Joey: "These songs are assorted experiments that I have done and are varied in style. They are sort of 'one-offs,' basically just songs that I wanted to record for fun."

The Classic Metal Show, heard Saturdays from 9PM-3AM EST exclusively at www.cmsradionetwork.com, recently conducted an interview with vocalist Whit Crane (ex-UGLY KID JOE, MEDICATION, LIFE OF AGONY) to talk about his new project ANOTHER ANIMAL, which also features members of GODSMACK and DROP BOX. During the interview, Crane was questioned as to the rumors that he is the next vocalist of ANTHRAX, which he denied. He also admitted that he has never in his life touched a computer. Below is an excerpt."

The Classic Metal Show: You are obviously out on tour right now with Another Animal. Is this your warmup for taking the gig in Anthrax? Crane: "Ha! These are my first interviews I've ever, ever done. I did one before this one. The guy before said there's this thing called Wikipedia out there that says that I'm the Anthrax singer."

The Classic Metal Show: It was out there on (the internet) that you did have the gig, then you didn't have the gig, then Corey Taylor had the gig. So we're just curious. Crane: "Well, I'll tell you. I'm in a band with Scott Ian called Hossie DC, which is a tribute to AC/DC's Bon Scott era, but we dress up like Hassitic Jews. So they might have gotten that mixed up. We play in New York about two times a year. Scott's one of my closest friends, but I think I would know if I was in the band. I can categorically say that, as of yet, I am not in Anthrax."

The Classic Metal Show: Where can people find out about you on the (world wide) web? Crane: "You know, I think there's a MySpace presence. I think you would go to the myspace and then go to the music area of that and put in Another Animal. I think that's how you find that. You know, I'm pretty much computer illiterate. You know, I guess I could ask somebody. I've never been on a computer before."

The Classic Metal Show: Wow! Is there any reason why? Do you just not like them? Crane: "No no no. I'm not anti-computer. It's just a cumbersome item. I travel really light. I've got a backpack. You know, I do have the telephone, which I guess is a form of a computer something. I think you can even get the internet on this thing. I'm pretty much down with my telephone. Text messages is enough for me to make it through the day."

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has posted the following message on his MySpace page:

"I wanted to post something here regarding an interview that was recently posted on MTV.com. It was an interview with Jon Wiederhorn about the S.O.D. release Rise Of The Infidels (which I'm actually really digging!!!). After the S.O.D. questions we spoke about Anthrax and the situations with Joey Belladonna, John Bush and Corey Taylor.

I need to clear up my comments regarding Joey. Some of the things I said were of an inflammatory nature and at the time I was not in full possession of the facts. From then til now, all the information has been brought to light and it was unprofessional of me to speak without all the facts and for this I apologize. I know how to admit when I am wrong and I retract what I said about Joey. I consider Joey a friend and I never meant to cause him distress in anyway and I hope we can move forward from this as friends.

Cheers, brother."

The statement comes after Scott Ian criticised Belladonna for not giving a straight answer as to whether or not he would be committed to a new Anthrax album.